What is an Abbe refractometer?

In physics, there is a phenomenon known as refraction. Refraction is the change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused by its change in speed. This is why a stick will appear bent when put in water. The device used to measure refraction is simply known as refractometer A refractometer contains an illuminating prism, a light source, and a refracting prism. Ernst Abbe of Germany was the first scientist to develop one. In his honor, refractometers are now named after him. However, it is important to mention that the refractometer has undergone a number of evolutions in its processing and manufacturing, although the underlying mechanism by which it works remains essentially the same. Modern refractometers are equipped with a liquid crystal display and this makes it easy to read the measurements on the device.

One may wonder why the refractometer is so important to us. When you finish reading the following lines, you will not more than agree that it is a very important tool. Refractometers have found wide uses and applications in medical laboratories, histology laboratories, chemical laboratories, and physics centers. It is also used by microbiologists, astrophysicists and engineers. This is apart from the fact that it is used in various industries, companies (especially bottling companies), hospitals, processing plants, and factories. Refractometers are very important because the measurement of the refractive index has many uses. For example, by using an Abbe refractometer, it is easy to detect whether honey is good or spoiled. Apart from this, the refractometer is indispensable in agriculture, clinical research, wildlife management, pharmacology, food processing, hydrology, and advanced physics.

The refractometer also comes with other benefits and advantages. For example, you might want to measure the salinity of that beautiful saltwater aquarium you just bought. In such a case, a refractometer is useful. Additionally, you may want to measure the salt and electrolyte composition of the bottled spring water you just drank. Maybe you want to know if it contains enough sodium, calcium or potassium, again, make use of your refractometer. The good thing is that you don’t have to carry around bulky devices every time you want to drink spring water! There are portable, pocket, and handheld refractometers for personal use. It is very clear that this device is quite useful.

Although it was Abbe that started the production of refractometers, some other companies have also been involved in the production of this wonderful scientific tool. Some of them are: ATAGO, Reichert, Brix, ERMA, Bellingham & Stanley, American Optical and Schmidt-Haensch from Germany. Oh almost forgot, I’m thinking of buying a saltwater aquarium, don’t you think I need a refractometer?